The Progress Entrapment

Civilizational philosophy, or the philosophy of civilization, explores the nature, development, and decline of civilizations

At one point in time, every civilization's economic systems reach crossroads where decisions must be made and actions must be taken to either pursue behaviors that have become unsustainable in the name of progress or deliberately change course in order to avoid self destruction.

In the documentary produced by Martin Scorsese, Slaves in the Name of Progress available on youtube, it can be argued that our civilization has reached an Era of Limits at which point we must collectively reflect on what's ahead of us: an ocean of infinite possibilities or an entrapment where food, water, ethics and justice will become scarce?

In an era of limits, one could argue that to pursue the ocean of progress we must significantly improve economic productivity through much greater technological innovations.

Can we achieve this revolution in productivity without resolving the ever growing wealth inequalities that keep thriving in such complex economic models? Or can we finally realize that our civilization's destructive behaviors in consumption, which feed on an ever growing need for new products, new consumers and new producers, which one could call the Great Consumption Ponzi, cannot last long if we continue on its current path?

One could say that if we improve productivity with artificial intelligence and robots, we will never resolve the wealth gap as unemployment will rise significantly. If we succeed in resolving the wealth gap we might have well destroyed the foundation of free competition.

Moreover, if we significantly get rid of our consumption bonanza we risk destroying the free trade foundation of the global economy. The Chateau de Cartes could easily collapse with such wind of change.

There are no equitable ways to reduce population growth without accepting the natural (or regressing?) progress of pandemics, wars and, above all, the overreach of madmen and criminals.

So, how do we get out of this entrapment? What does it mean for our global interconnected economies? What does it mean for our civilization?

Should one expect that an infinite economic progress in a world of finite resources be bound to collapse? Are we trying to prove that this formula is wrong?

Whether you are a pessimist, optimist or realist, go watch the documentary on youtube.

And let's hope for the best !